Spring Quins - 19th March 1965

A Closewool sheep belonging to Mr P Jenkinson of Alscott Farm, Shebbear, had quins on March 9th, and this week Mr Jenkinson told the Gazette that all were doing well, though necessitating artificial feeding every two hours. Mrs Jenkinson, Nigel and Sarah, are pictured keeping the proud mother company with her five children.

November 5 means more than bonfires and fireworks for the people of Shebbear.

Every years 'since the mind of man runneth not to the contrary' the village bellringers have ensured that the Devil is driven from the district.

They ring discordant peals on the bells and then move outside the Church to turn the 'Devil's Stone'. This is a massive boulder weighing more than a ton, which, with the aid of crowbards, they turn over, a task that must be symbolic of wrestling with the prince of darkness and it ensures that he is kept away for another year.

Shebbear Turns The Boulder - 11th November 1960

Hundreds of onlookers gathered around Shebbear Square on Saturday and witnessed the village's ancient tradition of turning over the "Devil's Boulder", a giant stone weighing about 5-cwt and lying beneath a 700-year-old oak near the entrance to the Parish Church. The ceremony was performed by six stalward bell-ringers. First, five local ringers, brothers Will and George Ackland, cousin Walter, Will Haine, the captain, and Robert Mill. They were reinforced by a visiting ringer, Mr Lake, of Torrington. A discordant jangle on the bells was sounded in order to exorcise the Devil. The

For the first time Shebbear College Society of Change-ringers was host on Saturday to the annual meeting of the North-West branch of the Guild of Devonshire Ringers.

The school society started the afternoon’s ringing in the parish church. Later, guild members took their turn on the ropes.

It was the first time the guild has met at Shebbear. The college has about 30 boys in its Change-Ringing Society. The youngest of these is 11 year old Peter Denton, of Dolton, who took an active part in Saturday’s ringing. Following the afternoon’s ringing a short service was held in the church, conducted

There would seem to be ample land for housing available within the village of Shebbear to meet general needs, say Department of the Environment inspector Mr W R Arnold.

And he has dismissed an appeal by Mr M J Moast against the refusal of the local planning authority to permit the erection of four houses at Bottledown Cross there. Their provision, he adds, would constitute an undesirable and unacceptable intensification of sporadic development in the countryside outside the reasonable limits of the village. The appeal site, the inspector points out, is about three quarters of a mile from the village and 400ft

A 31-year-old Shebbear mother learned from the Gazette this week that the Royal Humane Society is to present her with an award.

Mrs Jennifer Moast, of Battle Down, Shebbear, had not heard officially of the award when the Gazette telephoned her with the news. Capt S Gorrell, of Northam, who brought to the notice of the authorities Mrs Moast’s action, was given news of the award in a letter from the Royal Humane Society. The full Gazette article is dated 5 January 1973

Known as Sceaft Beara in 1050 and Sepesberia in the Domesday Book, Shebbear has had its name spelt in at least seven different ways over the centuries.

Mrs Nankivell, wife of Mr John Nankivell, President of Shebbear Young Farmers’ Club, cut a cake decorated with 21 candles at a dinner held in Buckleigh Filleigh Parish Hall to mark the ‘coming-of-age’ of the club.

Mr John Nankivell proposed the loyal toast at the dinner, which was attended by about 150 members and friends. Mr Charles Bellew proposed the toast ‘Shebbear YFC’ which was responded to by Mr Jack Quance. ‘The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ was proposed by Mr Alan Bewes, and was acknowledged by Mr John Yelland. Among those present at the dinner was Mr W